Exploring New Avenues for Renewable Energy
At the recent Renewables in Agriculture Conference in Toowoomba, the spotlight was on the emerging role of crop residues as valuable feedstock for renewable diesel and hydrogen production. Cassian Drew, managing partner at Acclimate Partners, emphasized the potential of renewable diesel as a viable alternative to fossil fuels, highlighting its compatibility with existing vehicles and machinery.
Market Opportunities and Challenges
Drew’s collaboration with AgriFutures underscores the growing interest in transitioning Australian farmers and heavy industries away from traditional diesel fuels. This shift presents significant opportunities for biomass feedstock producers, including oilseeds, crop residues, tallow, and used cooking oils, to supply the burgeoning renewable fuel market.
Navigating Environmental and Economic Choices
A critical decision facing growers involves whether to sell crop residues for energy production or retain them for soil conservation. Drew acknowledged this dilemma, emphasizing the need for informed farm-level decisions that balance energy production with soil health considerations.
Infrastructure and Coordination Challenges
Unlike established supply chains for oilseed and cereal crops, collecting and transporting crop residues to refineries remains a logistical challenge in Australia. With only a few operational refineries equipped for biofuel production, such as Viva Energy’s Geelong and Ampol’s Lytton facilities, Drew advocates for regional collection points (“nodes”) to streamline biomass transport and enhance price competitiveness.
The Role of Collaboration and Innovation
Drew emphasized the importance of partnerships between government, industry, advocacy groups, and local communities to scale up these initiatives effectively. He highlighted the need for a community-led approach that leverages local strengths in feedstock availability and infrastructure.
Innovative Solutions in Focus
Louise Brown, CEO of HydGene Renewables, presented innovative approaches to biomass conversion at the conference. Her company is developing on-farm modules to produce hydrogen and green ammonia from biomass residues like crop wastes. Partnering with technology providers and agricultural enterprises, HydGene aims to scale up production to meet commercial demands by 2028.
Looking Ahead
Despite challenges, including infrastructure costs and logistical complexities, the renewable energy sector in agriculture shows promise. By harnessing agricultural waste, Australia can bolster its green fuel production while mitigating environmental impacts and enhancing economic sustainability.
